Help with temperature issues...

[shabbyy]

Hey guys, I have been having some issues that I have been worried about, i don't have a thermo and have a 25w globe, but it is not producing enough heat. Normally in the warm section it's 26-29 degrees, and I know that is not hot enough because my bredli is spending all his time in the warm section, not moving...I am a bit tight on cash so I don't think I can get a thermo and better bulb straight away. Is there anything I can do in the mean time so it is warmer, my enclosure is glass, so it looses a lot of heat (I know) is there anything I can do to not make it loose as much heat as well?

Cheers,
Sabohan

 

[JrFear]

go to coles and buy a 50w or 100w globe! same thing and will cost you $3

 

[disintegratus]

^seconded.
When I first started I was really concerned about how much heat was being lost in some the more open style tanks we have, the glass ones, ones with mesh tops. I've since learned/discovered that the tank itself does not need to constantly be warm. As long as you have a spot that's warm enough for your snake to thermoregulate, it will be fine. With a setup that only has a basking spot and not a warm air temperature, in cold weather the snake will not be as active, however your electricity bills will thank you

 

[shabbyy]

But I am scared to get a 100w globe because I don't have a thermo to control the temps..
And I have to have the basking spot on all the time because if I turn it off it will probaby be 20c..

 

[disintegratus]

You're not far off the correct temps. Try a 40watt globe first, and then go up to a 50 watt if that's not strong enough. If you can, reposition the lamp or the basking spot to get the right temps. I've got a 50watt globe getting a 40+ degree basking spot for my mertens, running on a timer. Beats the hell out of running a 100watt a little further away.
Even if you end up with 3 or 4 globes that aren't strong enough, surely you'll be able to use them elsewhere in the house, or save them for backups in case your globe dies and you don't have another one. In the short term, not enough heat is better than no heat at all. And at worst it will cost you maybe $20, probably less.

 

[Snowman]

But I am scared to get a 100w globe because I don't have a thermo to control the temps..
And I have to have the basking spot on all the time because if I turn it off it will probaby be 20c..

Just give the snake to someone who can afford to house and look after it properly. Then get one when you are older.

 

[notechistiger]

Try covering up the back and sides of the tank and also the top where the light isn't situated (so as not to cause a fire). Other wise it doesn't really matter for the time being until you get the cash. Snakes can go for a very long time without food, so it's no sweat for a short while.

 

[disintegratus]

Try covering up the back and sides of the tank and also the top where the light isn't situated (so as not to cause a fire). Other wise it doesn't really matter for the time being until you get the cash. Snakes can go for a very long time without food, so it's no sweat for a short while.

Just be careful doing this, it does work, but I tried the same thing and almost burnt the bloody house down, I covered up too much of the tank and was running a globe with a wattage that was much too high, trying to bump up air temps rather than create a suitable basking spot. Lucky I was testing the enclosure overnight, so it didn't have an occupant, otherwise I would have cooked the poor bugger. There were scorch marks on the roof of the enclosure and the room stunk! Score one for stupidity!

 

[Snowman]

Because I'm sick of seeing snakes pay the price for your lack of preperation. You should be asking how to raise the temp before you even put a snake on there. First thing to do when getting a snake is set up the enclosure with a thermostat and make sure it meets all the reptiles requirements. This may mean putting off buying a snake for a bit longer to afford all the equipment. Only once you have everything sorted should you buy a snake.
Once again we see the snake paying the price....

 

[bigjoediver]

Go to your local electrical retailer ( harvey Normans etc) and go around back to the loading area and ask the warehouse guys if you can get some packing foam out of their bin. There often are sheets from the floor stock they unpack. Some free foam and a roll of duct tape from the cheap shop are enough to insulate the rear and both sides of your enclosure. Ugly but might make a difference and is cheap until the weather warms up. Also try moving your set up to a warmer part of your house if possible. Also reflector type globes are cheap at Bunnings 5 or 6 bucks just use a white one and change it at night for your 25w.

 

[shabbyy]

Go to your local electrical retailer ( harvey Normans etc) and go around back to the loading area and ask the warehouse guys if you can get some packing foam out of their bin. There often are sheets from the floor stock they unpack. Some free foam and a roll of duct tape from the cheap shop are enough to insulate the rear and both sides of your enclosure. Ugly but might make a difference and is cheap until the weather warms up. Also try moving your set up to a warmer part of your house if possible. Also reflector type globes are cheap at Bunnings 5 or 6 bucks just use a white one and change it at night for your 25w.

Thanks, I was thinking of getting some foam

 

[Raymonde]

Putting styrofoam on the outside of the glass at the back and sides of the enclosure may reduce the amount of heat loss.

Snowman.
I agree that it is frustrating to see posts like this, but at least he IS asking questions and working on solving any issues and buying more equipment. It would be a lot worse if he never asked any questions and the snake had to live like that forever.
I believe he got the tank with the snake and probably made the assumption that the setup would be complete. Yes, it sucks for the snake but the snake should be ok for a week or 2 at lower temps. I am a little more worried about the lack of a light cage

Sabohan.
I think one of the things that may lead to people posting negative comments is that a lot of questions can be answered by doing some reading (eg Keeping and breeding australian pythons) or doing a search for old threads that answer your question. People who have been on the forum or in the hobby for a long time get tired of answering the same questions all the time.

 

[Sleazy.P.Martini]

Maybe there wouldn't be questions like this if it was harder to get a license than just paying a fee? Perhaps tests and training. So really the keepers aren't entirely to blame...

 

[Echiopsis]

Maybe there wouldn't be questions like this if it was harder to get a license than just paying a fee? Perhaps tests and training. So really the keepers aren't entirely to blame...

What a ridiculous comment. It's your responsibility as the owner to do the research, no one elses.

Pity to see another snake being mistreated due to a broke (or tight fisted) 'keeper'. If you cant afford the basics, do the right thing by the animal and give/ sell it to someone who can.

 

[notechistiger]

A little while with insufficient heat is hardly "mistreatment". A few weeks isn't going to hurt it in the slightest.

@OP, consider getting a 40w or even 50w and see if that will raise the temperature high enough. As long as you're diligent with turning off the heating when it gets hot outside (or simply buy a cheap timer to keep it off during the hot hours of the day), they can be run without a thermostat. It's a little easier in a glass tank because the heat doesn't build up like it would in a wooden tank.

 

[shabbyy]

A little while with insufficient heat is hardly "mistreatment". A few weeks isn't going to hurt it in the slightest.

@OP, consider getting a 40w or even 50w and see if that will raise the temperature high enough. As long as you're diligent with turning off the heating when it gets hot outside (or simply buy a cheap timer to keep it off during the hot hours of the day), they can be run without a thermostat. It's a little easier in a glass tank because the heat doesn't build up like it would in a wooden tank.

I have covered the sides and back, and it is at a stable 32c And we got some foam, so we will replace the blankets soon...

 

[Snowman]

A little while with insufficient heat is hardly "mistreatment". A few weeks isn't going to hurt it in the slightest.
.

Depends if he has been feeding it. Not having enough heat to digest its food can end badly.

 

[shabbyy]

Putting styrofoam on the outside of the glass at the back and sides of the enclosure may reduce the amount of heat loss.

Snowman.
I agree that it is frustrating to see posts like this, but at least he IS asking questions and working on solving any issues and buying more equipment. It would be a lot worse if he never asked any questions and the snake had to live like that forever.
I believe he got the tank with the snake and probably made the assumption that the setup would be complete. Yes, it sucks for the snake but the snake should be ok for a week or 2 at lower temps. I am a little more worried about the lack of a light cage

Sabohan.
I think one of the things that may lead to people posting negative comments is that a lot of questions can be answered by doing some reading (eg Keeping and breeding australian pythons) or doing a search for old threads that answer your question. People who have been on the forum or in the hobby for a long time get tired of answering the same questions all the time.

Yes, they cage came with the snake, the breeder said I didn't need a thermo and he said it was cruel to have one...But I have increased the temperature by covering the sides.

I do understand from your point of view, but as it says I posted in the 'Herp Help' section, if people are getting fed up with answering the same questions why do they come on 'Herp Help'? I do really want the get 'Keeping and breeding Australian pythons' but after I get rid of the more important costs I shall invest in the book.

- - - Updated - - -

Depends if he has been feeding it. Not having enough heat to digest its food can end badly.

I was instructed to not feed him until Friday...

 

[notechistiger]

Depends if he has been feeding it. Not having enough heat to digest its food can end badly.

I agree, but if that's the case then I suspect this thread would have a little more urgency to it. Despite being new, Sabohan seems just a little cluey

I'm not sure of the weather down there in Adelaide, but if it's anything like it is here then it's a possible the outside temperature is a little chilly and has dropped the temperature inside the tank (did I mention storms are great?).

Did he say why he thinks thermostats are cruel? Interesting stance.

 

[shabbyy]

I agree, but if that's the case then I suspect this thread would have a little more urgency to it. Despite being new, Sabohan seems just a little cluey

I'm not sure of the weather down there in Adelaide, but if it's anything like it is here then it's a possible the outside temperature is a little chilly and has dropped the temperature inside the tank (did I mention storms are great?).


Did he say why he thinks thermostats are cruel? Interesting stance.

I think it had something to do with turning on and off, which is not fair for the snake while in bask...Well that's what I think he said :lol:
And what do you mean cluey?